China expects 1st batch of vaccines in July

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China's drug watchdog says the country is expected to churn out its first batch of A/H1N1 flu vaccines by the end of next month. The World Health Organization has determined the seed viruses for the production and is sending the samples to China.

China has eleven manufacturers for seasonal flu vaccines. Only one is certified for pandemic vaccines.

Yin Hongzhang, State Food & Drug Administration, said, "Once the pandemic occurs, government departments will coordinate manufacturers to produce vaccines to meet the market demands."

The A/H1N1 seed viruses from the WHO are expected to arrive in China within this week.

Vaccine production will start by mid-month.

The state drug watchdog is asking the qualified manufacturer to stand by, and the others should be ready to help.